arm's length

noun

1

: a distance discouraging personal contact or familiarity

kept former friends at arm's length now

2

: the condition or fact that the parties to a transaction are independent and on an equal footing

arm's-length

ˈärmz-ˈleŋ(k)th 

-ˈlen(t)th

adjective

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web

The entire powertrain is mounted on a subframe, and hydraulically damped engine mounts keep noise and vibration at arm's length. —John Phillips, Car and Driver, 10 Mar. 2023

Carter has been a consistent three-point shooter, but of late his triples have often come at times that swing momentum and this pair helped the Bucks keep the Magic at arm's length and set up a victory. —Jim Owczarski, Journal Sentinel, 7 Mar. 2023

And about that convo... Chris Olsen, a TikToker, captured a little moment between Harry and Taylor where the two are standing up, engaged in a conversation at about an arm's length from one another. —Addison Aloian, Women's Health, 6 Feb. 2023

The boy's family is alleging that the mall was negligent and caused harm to the boy and emotional distress to his mother, who was an arm's length from her son when he was attacked. —Chao Xiong, Star Tribune, 28 July 2021

After the first half, Butler generally kept DePaul at arm's length. —Wilson Moore, The Indianapolis Star, 5 Jan. 2023

Grab a dumbbell in each hand and hold them at arm's length next to your chest. —Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 16 Nov. 2022

Most entrepreneurs try to keep them at arm's length, valuing their money more than their advice. —Mark Gimein, The Week, 29 Nov. 2022

Congressional leaders are keeping Trump at arm's length. —Harold Maass, The Week, 21 Nov. 2022

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Word History

First Known Use

1655, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Legal Definition

arm's length

noun

: the condition of the parties to a business deal in which each has independent interests and one does not dominate the other

—often used in the phrase at arm's length

a contract made at arm's length

arm's-length adjective